Re-Keying versus Changing Locks: Your Options Explained
Re-Keying versus Changing Locks: Your Options Explained
There are a lot of situations in which you may want to get new locks and keys in your home or business –like if a tenant moves out, you switch cleaning companies, find out your babysitter is stealing, or go through a divorce. Whatever your reason for wanting new locks and keys, you typically have two options available to you: rekeying and changing locks. Each of these options has its own pros and cons worth weighing.
Rekeying: Pros and Cons
Rekeying is a locksmith service which first was invented in the 19th century. A locksmith invented a new type of lock in which the tumblers could be moved around. Once the tumblers were adjusted, the previous key wouldn’t work anymore. Most modern locks can be rekeyed though there are some high-security locks which have mechanisms which prevent this.
The main benefit of rekeying is that it is usually much cheaper than buying a whole new lock. You can bring the locking mechanism to a locksmith or a locksmith can come to your home/business. The locksmith will then adjust the tumblers in the lock to match a key. It usually just much shorter time to rekey a lock than to install a new lock. Rekeying is especially useful in situations where there are numerous locks in one building which would have to be changed – such as an apartment building. Instead of changing all the locks, the landlord can just have them rekeyed and give tenants new keys.
The downside of rekeying is that it requires a locksmith to do the work. Rekeying also doesn’t actually change the lock. If the lock is worn or damaged, rekeying will not fix this and the lock could become problematic later on, such as by getting stuck or freezing up.
Changing Locks: Pros and Cons
If you have a cheap lock which you want to change, then it probably isn’t worth the expense of rekeying it. Instead, you are better off buying a higher-security lock. In many cases, you can install even a high-security lock yourself and avoid the costs of a locksmith. When you change locks, you can also feel confident that all the parts are in working order so you won’t have to deal with them getting stuck/frozen. Many high-quality locks will come with guarantees.
One of the possible downsides of changing locks is that the new lock may not be compatible with the existing door structure. For example, you may need to install plates on the door jam or other components. It often takes a high degree of skill to properly install security locks correctly, which means that you will have to pay a locksmith rather than doing it yourself. Changing a lock will typically take longer than rekeying and the hourly costs of a locksmith can make this very pricy.
